Partial (high-grade) gluteus medius tear

Hi Eva: so sorry that I didn't see your post sooner, but probably with all the pain and PT and treatments (you name it) - plus not being able to sleep because of referred throbbing to the low back, I'm a mess too. However, one spine MD said that the partial/high grade gluteus medius tear is referring pain to my SI joint and rotating it more than it should be - which is why he thinks I have throbbing. Last year, I was also pushed to try PRP, but some ultrasonographers did not see a tear anymore - in addition to which my reading on PubMed and NIH.gov showed that the platelet ratio for optimal results was not at all clear. No one has suggested surgery, but the pain comes from any weight-bearing on that leg, and I used to be a maniacal runner myself - but the low back throbbing is constant. One MD says scar tissue can never be loosened, the one I mentioned above sent me to a physician who is also a diagnostic radiologist, who somehow thinks it can be (she found a 'moderate scar burden' ). However, when the PT pressed on the tendon tear area for several sessions to supposedly 'loosen' it up, it only referred much more intense throbbing to my low back. I have never felt this depressed in my life, but wanted to ask you how the surgery went - even though I realize there are risks with everything - yet I similarly feel caught between a rock and a hard place. Surgery can create scar tissue too, but they can debride the original knot of scar tissue, as no one did soft imaging on me when it happened, only X-rays to rule out a fracture - and this doctor knew about tendon and soft tissue issues. I kept running for a few months, since the pain didn't start immediately, which probably only aggravated it (since they say that even crossing one's legs can create more problems in a partially torn tendon, as it's so pivotal to the tripod effect of standing straight - analogous to the shoulder's rotator cuff in the shoulder. If we're "allowed" to email, that would be great, so please let me know how you're feeling and I'll be in touch as soon as I hear from you. Thanks so much for your message, and will hope you're feeling better. Talk to you soon, especially as I've heard 100 contradictions about this, and I'm exhausted as well. My best, -Annie

Eva, It's Annie again, but I meant to tell you that about 1.5 years ago, I called the Pain Management dept. at a good hospital in the US - and was asked about any trauma in the last year (the storage bin collapse) - but the Chair never even sent me for soft imaging: I had to take it upon myself to find a doctor who did an MRI and so I was overdoing too much for several months after the partial tear since I didn't know it was there. This spine physician even CCed the Pain Mgt. doctors, as he thought the epidural steroid injection a few months ago was totally inappropriate for my leg pain and the throbbing in my low back - but PM always dismissed the tendon even when I learned about it, and stayed on their 'neuropathic' route - which never helped me, except for a steroid injection in the SI joint a year ago, since it seemed to refer down to the tendon tear - but we all know that steroids are not great, and that they thin bone and tendon itself. So it's all such a double edged sword. A few weeks ago, most likely before you even wrote, I thought why not go talk to a hip tendon surgeon for a consult, because the resulting pain and lack of 'quality of life' or sleep is making me question the point of everything. My sense is that our brains cannot handle so much constant pain and then we get depressed and hopeless, which creates a totally vicious cycle. Now PM even brought up trigger points, which they injected above the tendon area in the low left back - but it did absolutely NOTHING, except to make everything hurt even worse. I do have some curvature on my L side, which regular people wouldn't see, only MDs who know what to look for - but the expression 'antalgic gait' has come up, and still PM ignored what the spine MDs were saying. However, the left loading and sacrum rotation that go along with a 25 degree curvature probably created a tendency for that bin collapse to lead to this tear - even though I've also learned that we get micro-tears with all our exercise over time, which I'm sure is accurate - but I know that this bin collapse was the 'straw that broke the camel's back.' BTW, they're also pushing yoga now, but deep down, I truly don't think that anything will work after 2 intense years of physical therapy to strenghten the surrounding musculature, as well as 15 pain management procedures (but those that never addressed the musculoskeletal issue of the tear and how it's referring to the low back). I wish you lived closeby, so that we could talk more easily, but for now I'll be thinking positive thoughts about your surgery and will hope to hear from you soon!

How does that sound? I'm a bit older than you are, so have been jogging and rowing for at least 15 more years - all of which doctors knew was aggravated by that 25 degree curvature, but none of them ever told me to use more 'forgiving' equipment. Seems like a lot of medical sloppiness to me, even though I'm a good researcher and did a lot on my own to learn more about it - and yet I'm still hearing so many inconsistencies. Whenever you're up to writing again, would very much like to hear what your surgery entailed (besides suturing the tear and debriding the scar tissue) - and then I've understood that one cannot weight bear for 6 weeks or something. OTOH, that would be a small burden if this surgery gives you some peace of mind back and of course LESS pain.

Look forward to hearing from you, that I feel like a little kid who can barely wait - hoping that it helped you and what I might look into next. Was also curious if you had throbbing pain in the low back or only pain while you walked on that leg (and not that my situation was worse, only that the tendon tear referral to my already challenged sacrum structure and rotation created so much pain, that there was no way to sleep, as even if I dozed off, it the pain disrupted it in minutes.

Hoping to hear from you as soon as possible! -Annie, :-)

Hi Annie,

?thanks for your replies - it appears there are two replies and the first one isn't visible to me yet as it's 'still being moderated' (?) but I will start by writing a response to the second message, which I can see.

?It sounds like you have been through so much and I truely empathise - it was a year of no progress for me and I know what it feels like. I can relate to the part where you said that our brains can only handle so much constant pain befor giving up.

?My tear also was not diagnosed until I had my first MRI. My pain was also referred to my lower back on the same side where the tear is (right for me). As I had the pain in the EXACT same spot (where the tendon attaches to the hip bone) first and the back pain came later, it was pretty clear that the cause/source was the tendon.

?Let me update you on my surgery: everything went well and as planned. I spoke to the surgeon afterwards and he had warned me prior to the surgery that an MRI can only tell you so much and he wouldn't know exactly know that the situation is until he got in there. What he found was one pretty obvious tear and heaps and heaps of scar tissue, which showed him how long the tear had unsuccessfully tried to heal. He removed all the scar tissue and then fully detached the tendon off the bone, then screwed it back into the bone with some titanium hooks. The full detachment was done in order to make it bleed as much as possible (apologies for guesome details) as you would be well aware of the poor blood supply around tendons and their resulting poor healing ability.

?I was able to go home the same day and was immediatly able to partially weight bear. I have used crutches for a few days and believe it or not, I'm able to limp around at home without crutches already, 5 days post surgery. I will mostly stick to the crutches for a while, just to be sure. I was given some stronger pain meds just in case but have been alright with a bit of ibuprofen for the first few days - I have not taken any pain meds for the last two days. While I am sore (which makes sense after someone drilling into your bone!) and the whole area feels a bit 'raw' having had stitches obviously, this pain is nothing compared with the seeminly never-ending, soul-destroying pain I had with every step I've taken for the last year.

?It's definitely too soon for me to comment on the success (or lack thereof) of the surgery for me but for the time being I'm mostly hopefull. I have my post OP appointment with the surgeon in a bit over 2 weeks from now.

?I have brief moments of panic every once in a while thinking "what if this doesnt fix it and I'm out of options" but I realise thsese thoughts aren't helpful right now so I try to keep calm and give my body a chance to heal.

?How are you currently managing your pain and what are your next steps you think? I'm looking forward to hearing from you - and can I just say: I'm so very glad you had written your original post. I had resigned to the fact that I am currently the onyl person in the world with this very problem when I came across it.  

Cheers from Australia - Eva

 

Hi Eva: so glad to hear you're feeling better at this point. Are you on any Austrailian sites that I might join as well, since everything I can learn would be helpful. I even wrote to: secretary@painmanagement.org.au - to see if I could find you there. It'd be nice to communicate more directly, but we'll learn about that in the future. It's 5:30am here and of course I haven't slept yet.

Still, so glad to hear that you're feeling okay - but then your being younger might make a surgeon more open to using instrumentation, as it has to stay in place. Still, I'm glad to hear that how you feel now is ***far*** better than the constant pain over the last year. That makes me smile for you, yet I'm so confused what to do to get out of bed each day, i.e., that's how bad the weight bearing and low referred back throbbing are. Every minute of everyday. Again, if you know of any other sites, please let me know, because the more information I have, the more I feel slightly empowered you know? Knowing you now is great too! Big virtual hug, -Annie

PS. Yes, I know how bad the blood supply is to both tendons and ligaments, since with daily jogging and rowing, I've injured a few things - but never a tendon (and as we might agree, it IS the worst pain I have ever known).

Hi Annie - nice to hear from you and so sorry to hear you are having yet another sleepless night. I have been reading up in mostly running forums as I understand this is a common running injury but have not come across someone with the same problem.

?One thing that didn't fix the problem for me but helped at least temporary was getting proper medical massages - I don't know if you have tried massages and what your thoughts are on the topic but it might be worth a a shot.

?Can I just asked - has your doctor advised against surgery? Again, I'm not in a position yet to recommend it, will have to wait probably at least three months to comment, but I'm just curious what you have been told.

?I'm also wondering what pain medication you have been prescribed and how your chronic pain is being managed. It is such a debilitating thing to suffer from.

?I will definitely keep you posted on my progress (here's to hoping there's progres to report!!) - hoping you get some rest. Returning big virtual hug from the other side of the world * E

Hi Eva: just saw your last message, but no one has recommended surgery to date (maybe because it's inbetween a partial and complete tear) - and I've seen a few spine physicians already about the connection between hip and low back throbbing - which even with a spine curve, was never in pain until the tendon tear. The diagnostic radiologist (MD) did a thorough ultrasound and found 'moderate scar burden,' plus the tear still there after 2 years (since as we wrote, tendons don't heal well with such a lousy blood supply, in addition to my left loading from the mild curvature). In one part of the tendon (where it connects to the gluteus medius muscles), she called it 'markedly attenuated' - not a great connotation. But the several PTs I've seen have all said that no one would do surgery on my kind of tendon tear, but then they're able to sleep at night and don't feel pain as they walk (in the hip or back).

BTW, have you ever heard of myofascial trigger points? As I mentioned, about 5 were injected earlier in the week by the Chair of Pain Management - so although he had been wrong for so long sticking with a neuropathic track (according to one spine physician) - he said if these trigger points could be deactivated, it would happen almost immediately - but that was not at all the case (as I had even more weight-bearing pain and low back throbbing). Maybe your case is more straight-forward to some degree, w/o the 25 degrees of curvature, and in that sense not pushing your spine to rotate or to load left, which can't help the tendon tear itself (it seems). Maybe surgery healing for me wouldn't have a decent chance, since my spine structure is certainly not optimal, despite NEVER having pain in it until the hip tendon seemed to make matters worse, in terms of referring over to that area - like a double whammy, so to speak.

As you asked, no drugs ever help seem to help these issues, whether NSAIDs, mild pain meds, and/or even stronger ones - unless it's a muscle relaxer like diazepam for what feels like an impending spasm. Have you ever had one, as that kind of pain with the spine in a vice-like state is scary, since the brain seems to shut it down so that ostensibly, it cannot keep getting injured with more movement. 

Anyway, will check my messages frequently - because it's nice for us to be 'connected' now, since human connections help us cope to some degree, even if they can't take the pain away or let us walk and/or jog w/o feeling so terribly undermined. Will be keeping my fingers crossed for you - i.e., that the surgery continues to heal well, and that you'll ultimately be okay.

Do you at all buy into the idea that strenghening the surrounding musculature (near the tendon tear) can help at all? Haven't seen that to be the case, but the PTs keep reiterating that notion. Never tried yoga yet, but did you get any relief from it? Massaging the area doesn't cause pain, but it's also so short-acting, right? Hope to hear from you soon, -Annie

 

Hi Annie - thanks for your message, it really resonates with me.

?I have heard of the myofascial trigger points that you mentioned. A massage therapist I saw for a while tried to work on them but it only had limited effect. There has been a fair bit of dry needling tried on the actual tendon but you guessed it, no long term improvement.

?I'm obviously not qualified to comment on your situation, so will tell you what my experience with the things you mention have been - apologies for direct language, you out of all people would appreciate how tired and over all of this I am.

?Regarding strenghtening, I was told by a range of physio therapists that I needed to do that and spent 8 months doing the exercises with no effect. After I saw a sports physician who checked me out properly, he concluded that I have no muscle weakess, I am activating my glutes properly and there is no area that requires strengthening. He also said that it is often the 'default' fix to say that the area surrounding the problem needs strenghtening. Again, no reflection on your therapy, just my personal experience.

?In regards to the surgery, I just did a quick head count and I have in fact seen 12 different health professionals over the last year in regards to this problem. The first 10 told me that this is "nothing that usually gets operated on". I then went to see one of the best sports physicians in the state who referred me to one of the best orthopaedic surgeons. He was the first one that said to me this can in fact be operated on and he is confident that surgery will fix it. It is way too early for me to comment on whether it has been a success and only time will tell but for the first time in a year I have genuine hope.

?The only advice I would give based on my own experience is to change the physician, physio, chiro, etc if you feel you're not getting the help I need. I stuck with therapies that did nothing for me for months and months because I thought these people are professionals, I just need to stick with it and it will eventually help (and it didn't).

?I eventually made appointments with experienced doctors and in my first appointment said 'have you seen this problem or something very similar before and been able to help the person' (yes or no answer!). If the answer was 'no' (or unclear) I just moved on as I was sick of wasting time and people trialing things.

?Your issue sounds even that little bit more challenging with the 'doube whammy' as you call it. I hope you are being treated by someone that is experienced in the area and can give you appropriate support.

?On a personal note, I am again feeling a little bit stronger today. I wish I could fast forward 4 weeks to see if the tendon is healing now but I know I have to be patient. I will send you my email address via PM so we can stay in touch outside this forum as well if you like. Cheers - Eva

?

 

Hi Eva: a bit rushed at the moment with a huge funding grant due in 24 hours, but your last suggestion sounds great, so will look forward to it. I very much hear you about my idea of the 'double whammy,' so I'm going to make an appointment with not only a physical medicine MD, but with a hip surgeon as well - to see if this can be put in better perspective. 

Please keep healing, as I'm confident you'll be in good shape very soon (and have I ever been wrong yet, at least in our last few messages)? You of course know I'm trying to 'inject' some humor here. -Annie, :-)

Funding grant? Are you a researcher as well? We may have more in common than a crook tendon

Sending email address through now, let's continue this chat via email at some stage. No rush - I'm not going anywhere for a while (literally) and have learned over this past year that nothing seems to happen quickly anyway. Talk soon and good luck with the grant - Eva

And just another quick follow up, I just found this link:

[b]http://www.americanhipinstitute.org/gluteus-medius-tears[b].html

?This is exactly what I got done. No mention of a hip brace for me mind you, but the procedure is exactly this.

 

Oh Eva: There's obviously some problem online, but as I had asked the other day - are you a member of any other tendon group (even one in Australia)? When we write again, will go into more detail about my research work, as I smiled at what we must have in common with both that and funding grants - besides our gluteus medius issue. I've never met anyone else who had one either, so that's a 'bond' in itself !!!

BTW, what also intrigued me a great deal is that your tendon tear led to pretty bad referred low back pain as well, even w/o the 25 degrees of curvature. So was curious if the surgeon found a *complete* tear during your procedure, given how much scar tissue you described him removing. Or could it be micro-tears with so much jogging on both our parts. Look forward to learning more, and hope to be in a better place myself soon - as I know you'll be better and better via the surgery. -Annie

 

Hi Eva!  I have been diagnosed with a GM tear and am scheduled for surgery on August 22.  I was told that I would be completely non weight bearing for 8 weeks.  They told me this wasn't a common surgery and they had no hand outs for it.  I have been upsent wondering how I am going to manage this and not having a clue about pain after and how I'm going to get around.  You stated that you were able to be weight bearing and were doing pretty good.  You have given me hope!!!  I have been in pain for a year doing pt, Pilates, ice and heat, and multiple shots under ultrasound and finally demanded a MRI which showed the tear.  Nice to hear there may be an end to this nightmare.

 

Hi, I have been struggling with full thickness tears of the gluteus mediums and minimus muscle for the last three years. I have had seven surgeries with no success. The last surgery I had was a gracilis muscle flap transfer with new blood supply to the gluteus mediums and reattached to the greater trochanter. Six hour surgery, 10 days lying flat in bed, complications, and 63 days in hospital. Back to theater twice for wound complications. Blood clot in leg after the first surgery. After all that MRI showed both gluteus mediums and minimus muscles both full thickness tears again. I had a Plastic surgeon doing the muscle transfer with the orthopedic surgeon. Last surgery was a year ago. Going to physiotherapist and biogenetic once a week to help strengthen other muscles. I don't think there there any more they can do. Battle to do my daily work and driving. I must say I also had two bad falls days after the first and fourth surgeries. I hope you all have good outcome of your surgeries. I will follow your recovery.

So sorry to hear about your struggles!  It just hurts so much.  I have been doing Pilates to get all my muscles working together and am hoping that after I recover I won't get any more injuries from doing nothing.  Tired of being in pain and unable to walk all the time.

Hi Sharon, I am so sorry about  my tardy response - I had missed the notification of this response. How are you going and how did the surgery go? In brief - I have made a full recovery and have my life back. I am pain free, I'm running again and I am still grateful for it every single day. I am considering celebrating my birthday on the day I had the surgery from now on, just to give you an idea about the feelings associated with all of this.

I would be very keen to hear how it all went for you - I cannot believe I missed this message.

I will check my notifications carefully and am hoping to hear from you soon,

Cheers, Eva

Dear Sharon,

Four months ago I was scheduled to have a procedure done on the ITband. The technical term was (iliotibial band window over the greater trochanter/  Then a trochanteric bursitis was done-removal of the bursa sac.   

I had had 3 years of constain hip pain when walking.  I have tried a myriad of things, many of which have been mentioned.  

To make a long story short after the hip procedure it simply was not right.  I couldn't walk normally on it.  If I tried to stand on one leg, the hip would twist out and collapse.  That is what I felt every time my rt leg has all the weight bearing on it. 

The dr follow up was 2 months later....physical therapy....2 months. On the first day of pt the physical thearapist recomended using one cruthch on the left side.  What a difference that made in my back and hip pain.  No one had mentioned that to me 2 months out from my first procedure.  Then one pt even comented that it was in my head.  I totally lost it.  When you have pain for 3 years, you do start to think it is in your head.  I knew that was incorrect in this case because I could squat no problem, do other things as well, just not walk without a crutch.

Finally, after 2 months of pt, the dr confirmed something was not right and ordered an MRI.  Findings:  Complete tear involving the gluteus medius tendon just proximal to its insertion on the greater trochanter and fluid filling within the tendon. 

Obviously I am frustrated that I did all the pt and exercises that may have caused further damage.  I am fine with having surgery again for tendon repair but would like any input oe what to expect from others that have had this procedure done as well.  Surgery is scheduled for Jan. 30th.  Any thoughts on how many days one should take off work?  I walk a great deal during the day. 

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Dawn

 

Hello Eva

 Im excited to read that you have made a full recovery.  No pain and that you are back into your running. Most importantly you have your life back. 

I have just been diagnosed with a full complete glute medius tear in the right hip.  I'm in Melbourne and have been seeing a physio for too long, doing glute strengthening exercises and weight bearing/loading exercises. 

None of that helped, I'm in worse pain and feeling low without my active dancing life.  

Did the prp injections work?

Any advise to offer me? 

 thanking  you and anxiously await to hear  🙃

Hi kolourful,

thank you for your message and sorry to hear about your struggles. 

?The PRP did nothing for me other than give me false hope and cost a lot of $$. In hindsight, I did it because I thought I was out of the options and it was the last straw. The evidence-base to show its effectiveness is basically non-existent. 

?I am still seeing a wonderful physio in MEL to which my surgeon referred me for my post surgery rehab. He was mortified how much time I had wasted with gluten-strengths exercises that did nothing. Trust me, not all physiotherapists are created equal!.

?I am happy to pass on the details of my physio if you wanted to have a chat with him? I am certain he wouldn't waste your time if physiotheraphy isn't the way to go AND he has a good working relationship with the wonderful surgeon that gave me my life back.

?Feel free to PM me and I'll pass on the details. I hope it all works out for you - fingers crossed.

E

Thank you so much Eva fo r our quick response.

I see the Sports Doctor this afternoon and your feedback is also what I have read about the effectiveness of PVP injections. . I have a full thickness incomplete width tear and my logic questions how stem cells can repair this 

Maybe an incomplete tear gives me hope?

 I too am worried that my physio (physio to a Melb football team) has given me glute exercises and glute weighted gym exercises that have made the tear worse.  Latin dancing is my life and my living soul and I have 3 dance festivals (one in Seville SPain ) in the next 3 mths - one on Friday - so my heart is feeling very heavy and anxious. 

so if the SPorts Doctor recommeds surgery - how long was your recovery and before you could be mobile? I am 64 so yours would be quicker than mine!! ha ha !! oh for youth!! .... 

All will be well in time..... I know it.. 

I am new to PATIENT -  how do I PM you?  Thanking you again and anxiously await to hear , Bestest Kolourful

I have a partial tear of my Gluteus Minimus.  Had a PRP injection last Sept. Followed by some serious PT.  Seemed to get better after about 9 weeks, but is now as bad as ever.  Sleep is very difficult.  Have a bad limp.  Through with my Osteopath.  Have an appointment with a surgeon in 3 weeks.  Really worried about length of recovery.

Hi Eva, Congratulations on the success of your surgery.  I’ve just received my ultrasound results and have a full thickness tear of the gluteus minimus, a partial thickness tear of the gluteus medius and trochanteric bursitis.  I’m so pleased that I’ve found your posts as I too live in Melbourne.  My GP just gave me a referral for a cortisone injection and my physio has directed me straight to PRP injections.  I’m horrified by everyone’s stories on this site and hope to avoid all the trauma that I’ve read about.  I would appreciate it if you could pass on the details of the medical professionals you have had success with.  I do hope you are still pain free and living a full life again.  Take care, Melinda

Hi Melinda, 

I’m so sorry to hear you’re in this situation. The memory or cortisone and PRP injections which were a complete waste of time and money for me still run shivers down my spine. 

Do you want to send me a private message here and I’ll tell you who I saw in MEL and who did and did t know what they were talking about In my case? I would wish for you that you can skip the 18 months of running around different docs, physios, chirps, remedial massage therapists and whoever else there is. I have made basically a full recovery (hip sometimes aches a bit when the weather changes, that’s about it) and couldn’t be happier. 

PS - has someone suggested that you get an MRI? I’m surprised you got such detailed results from an ultrasound! 

Hi Eva,

An MRI is my next step.  I’ve been reading that I’d need to get a referral from a specialist to have one.  I’ve narrowed it down to 2 specialists that I’d consider seeing if I didn’t hear back for you.  So I’m very relieved you have responded.  I’ve sent you a PM and look forward to hearing your advice on the best way to go with this issue.  Thank you so much for taking the time to respond.  Regards, Melinda 

Hi Dawn!  Sorry it took me so long  I had trouble getting back in to this site.  My surgery was 9-22-17.  I was non weight bearing on that leg for 6 weeks used a hip brace and was extremely careful.  When I could stand again I had a new problem -  severe mid back pain and found it impossible to lay on my back so couldn't do any PT.  Four months later that got a little better and I started PT and 6 mos later I started back to Pilates - level 1 easy springs.  I still have pain in my hip, not as bad as before, but still find it difficult to walk and have pain all night.  They repaired the tear in my glute med and did a bursectomy and he said that he put a cut in my IT band.  I am wondering if the pain is because of the IT band now.  Looks like from all the posts that continued pain is just the was it is.  No way would I do surgery again - that was horrible.  I might try my cane again now that my back has settled down.  I hope your are doing better.  Looks like your surgery was end of January so 4 mos.  I still hold out hope that this will just resolve itself in time.  I am 64 and think that recovery takes lots longer.

Hi Eva, I know this is a year later, hope you're still on this forum, I am ,,4.5 weeks post of of open gluteus medius repair with two anchors, I am still in a lot of pain including my butt cheek was wondering if this is normal, and, how long did it take u to fully heal??

I thought i would never find someone with the same injury that i have. I am very athletic and love going to the gym. I was playing basketball when i got hurt a couple years back. Things got better after going through therapy. But it just kept coming back. Now im in my 30's and its hitting me harder than ever. Its hard to sit down even if its for 5 minutes, getting harder to walk and get out of my car. I dont knknoknknow what else to do. I have appointment after appointment with my chiropractor and its starting to only help temporarily. You mentioned that you had surgery. How did that go? I really do want to know did that help.

Hi Antonio 

I didn’t have a surgery but from reading theses posts some ppl have

At this point I have had physio and a cortisone shot which has given a little relief my next move is to get a PRP shot to promote healing 

In Manitoba Canada the cost is $250 per shot I am told you should feel some relief in 3 to 6 months

As I have other back problems with nerves being pinched I am waiting to see back surgeon next week and then going to book PRP shot ( there has to be a month between cortisone and PRP shots)

We update the group with progress As all your letters and info have been very helpful to me 

Thanks melbighead 

Hi Sharon....was wondering how your pain is now??

Eva, could you tell me how was your post surgery experience? I am having a partial gluteus medius tear surgery next week. I was wondering how long it has taken you to feel the full benefits of your surgery. I am fifty nine years old and have had hip bursitis for over 6 years and now with an MRI they found minor tear. I will appreciate your comments. esther

Sharon, I hope you are all well now.

How have you been since surgery? my experience has been much like yours. Im 41 with no known injury and its getting worse. I may have to have surgery if no improvement with physical therapy.

Hi Esther! I just got this notification (9-1). Thanks for thinking of me. I am fully recovered. I find that my hips are getting tight and have gone back to my PT excercises. My hips - both of them are sooo week! Probably why I got the tear in the first place. I walk with no pain and I can sleep on either side again. Life is good. Just have to pay attention to my body and keep flexible. Hope you are still doing great!

Hi Melinda, I have been diagnosed with gluteal tendonopathy, doing PT, not sure it is helping.

I found this forum, know it is old, but wondering if you still have Eva's recommendations of who to see and any useful info you have. I live in Melbourne.

Hope you are better.

Any info would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Karen

Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

Eva,

i am a woman of the age of 41. for the last 2yrs i have had excrutiating pain in my hip, back, and leg. I was just diagnosed with a torn GM tear. I dont want to continue all the other treatments, if surgery can help. How did your surgery go?

Hi Karen,

i stumbled on this site when i was researching the connection between gluteal tendinopathy and menopause. i hope you are seeing improvements with the pt and are still on this forum. i was finally diagnosed with the same condition as you beginning of 2020 this was 2.5 years after several diagnoses as trocanteric bursitis which progressively got worst affecting now my knee cap and the side of the knee im now unable to climb the stairs without feeling knee pain. Wonder if anyone experience this? Wasted 2.5years on 2 therapists as none was focusing on the right area (which i only realised this year). Lock down kicked in after only 4 sessions with 3 different therapists as one by one was sent home. So i have been doing strengthening of the glutes at home, which has helped a little but my knee is still not good. Somedays i feel like as if there is a string inside the butt being pulled. would love to hear from you or anyone with similar experience.

Hi all-I had an open gluteus medius and minimus tendon/muscle tepair one week ago. Im non weight bearing with crutches and a brace for 6 weeks. Wondering when the pain starts getting better. Its not real bad but so worried im going to retear something. He also used anchors, a graft to hold the tendons in place and stem cells. Any advice or opinions are welcome!!! Thx!!

Hello, Barbara!

I am in the process of scheduling open gluteus medius/minimus repair and am 54 yrs old. I have been putting this surgery off for almost 3 yrs, and am at the point of no return. i have so much anxiety regarding the pain of recovery for this surgery. I will be having it done at HSS in Manhattan, NY (USA). can you tell me how you felt at the 3 month mark? thank you in advance!!

Karen

Hi Eve

i am also from Melbourne and wondering who the surgeon you saw for your op.

i am also considering an op for the same condition as you have. Just wondering how you have recovered also and how long it took

cheers Pam

i am in Australia and thinking of having same op, can you let me know how you are at the moment and what your success rate is . I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery

Pam

hi Karen Im also thinking of having same surgery, can you let me know how you are going?

Pam

Hello can you please let me know the outcome of your surgery, hope you are recovering well

Cheers

Hi kvctrack-My pain level at 3 months was about a 1-2. i finished PT at the 3.5 month from the date of my surgery. its now been 4.5 months and the biggest problem is have is doing yardwork, getting back to the exercise level i was at previously with cycle and yoga. Im 64 so not sure if i will get back to 100% or not. i know it takes time and is a long recovery and im impatient. Best of luck to you-I just saw your post so I apologize if Im late. let us know how you're doing.

kvctrack-I also had a TON of anxiety-will i ever walk again and live a normal life? I was very determined and my doctors office was not super supportive but my therapist was phenomenal and i depended on her a lot more for info and progress reports than the surgeon. Its literally a one day at a time recovery for a long time. Once i got off of two crutches, things moved along pretty rapidly. Did you have the surgery? I also had a bone graft to help with healing.

hello Eva, my name is Estelle and I have been suffering from an important GM tendon tear for the past year and a half. I have tried many therapies, cortisone injections, exercises, etc , to no avail. i would be interested to hear more about your surgery, what is it really and whether it has given good results. i am an old runner who also had Achilles tendon tear years ago. i am getting desperate as one orthopedist here has told me no surgery was possible. i am also trying to see if there would be any link between week tendons and acutan treatments i did years ago. if anyone has anything to say about this, i would be happy to hear from you

Ive been diagnosed with gluteus medius and gluteus minimus tears and am scheduled for open surgical repair on July 15. i am a 68 year old female. was diagnosed after three episodes of the worst pain i have ever felt or even imagined i could feel in my right butt cheek. with absolutely amazing swelling. These episodes happened in a two week period of time while i was being treated for bursitis. went to ER by ambulance twice. the second time they did an MRI and discovered large tears in both muscles. because of my age and active lifestyle it is believed the muscles were weakened through degenerative changes, then once i tore it once it became very easy to tear further. i am totally babying it now until surgery to repair but i too have referred pain in my back and down my leg making sleep difficult and walk without huge limping especially if ive been on my feet alot that day. i just had knee replacement same side 8 months ago so not looking forward to another surgery but really AM looking forward to getting back to a normal active lifestyle. feeling discouraged after getting theough the knee replacement so easily

to have this happen now.

Dear Eva,

I have come across your message as I too am searching information regarding a torn glut medius. I'm hoping you receive this message! How did your surgery go?? I am considering this as well.

Dear barbara,

I am considering this surgery as well. How are you doing?

Hi,

Did you have your surgery? How are you doing? I'm looking into this as well. I'm 58 and currently row with a masters crew team. I'm able to continue rowing but the imbalance I've created along with the pain is leading me toward the surgery.

I'd love to hear how you are doing?

EVA. i was searching on line about a partial high tear in my gludias minimus and i finally found this. I'm do frustrated with pain and discomfort. they gave me a cortisone shot and now sending me to physical therapy. i feel this is not going to help. i took a bad fall at work. and it was negligence on the house keeper she spilt water on the floor and never cleaned it up..and it has ruined my life.. just wanted to say thanks for posting. your injury. Bridget

hi eva, i have the same injury. wanting to know what treatment helped you?

He Eva- I came across this forum as I’m desperately seeking answers for the same issue. I’m pretty sure I have a glute tendon tear and it’s not healing or improving at all. I’m waiting for an mri. I would love to know if your surgery was successful and how you are doing now years after surgery? Thanks so much